Richmond council discusses successor

The Richmond City Council won't ask candidates for its soon-to-be-vacant 7th District seat to pledge that they won't seek election in November.

The council discussed yesterday the interview process it will follow to appoint someone to replace Delores L. McQuinn, who is uncontested in today's special election for the vacant 70th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.

The remaining eight council members will have 45 days to name a successor, and that person will serve at least until a special election in November.

In considering temporary appointments in the past, council members have shown a preference for candidates who have said they would not seek election. Council members haven't wanted to give anyone the advantage of incumbency.

However, council members said yesterday that the length of the interim appointment this time may require a different consideration.

"They're going to have 10 months invested at that point," said Councilman Bruce W. Tyler, who urged against seeking a no-run pledge.

Council members said they'll ask candidates about their plans but differed on whether someone's plan to run should be counted against the person.

McQuinn predicted potentially a half-dozen applicants and said she would like to see the council appoint someone who is interested in running in November.

"The time span is too long given 7th District, city issues," she said. "I would like to see someone who is interested in running for continuity."
Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .